A four-year-old girl was abducted by a stranger at a busy Westfield shopping centre in Sydney on Sunday evening – before her mother found them at another shop.

Police said that an unknown woman approached the girl inside a shop at Westfield Eastgardens at about 6:20pm, then picked her up and carried her to another shop. 

The girl’s mother was able to take back her daughter after locating them at the second shop. 

Police have released an image of a woman they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries. 

The woman is described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance with short black hair.

She was seen wearing a red headband, a black jacket, black pants and a multi-coloured shoulder bag.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.